Type II methanotrophic bacteria are superior to Type I methanotrophs in accumulating polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable alternative to polypropylene and other petro-chemical plastics, under nutrient limiting conditions. We evaluated the growth of Type I and Type II methanotrophs in a 15.2-liter bench-scale fluidized bed reactor (FBR) over a 270-day period. The aim was to identify operational characteristics and selection pressures that would favor Type II over Type I methanotrophs. The results indicate that Type II methanotrophs can be grown in an FBR under the appropriate conditions and that such a method may be a viable means of producing large quantities of biomass for PHB production.
This work investigated two different approaches to optimize biological sulphate reduction in order to develop a process control strategy to optimize the input of an electron donor and to study how to increase the feasibility of using a cheap carbon source. Feast/famine regimes, applied to design the control strategy, were shown to induce the accumulation of storage compounds in the sulphate reducing biomass. This study showed that delays in the response time and a high control gain can be considered as the most critical factors affecting a sulphide control strategy in bioreactors. The delays are caused by the induction of different metabolic pathways in the anaerobic sludge, including the accumulation of storage products. On this basis, a mathematical model was developed and validated. This can be used to develop optimal control strategies. In order to understand the microbial pathways in the anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled to sulphate reduction (AOM-SR), diverse potential electron donors and acceptors were added to in vitro incubations of an AOM-SR enrichment at high pressure. Acetate was formed in the control group, probably resulting from the reduction of CO2. These results support the hypothesis that acetate may serve as an intermediate in the AOM-SR process.
Wastewater treatment management, alongside many other industries, is seeking to attain a higher degree of sustainability for its processes by focusing on new technologies which minimise the consumption of resources or even recover them from the wastewater. Conventional removal of ammonium requires usually large amounts of energy for aeration and organic carbon for denitrification. This report focuses on making the nitrogen-removal process more sustainable. This can be achieved by a partial oxidation of ammonium to nitrite, after which the nitrate produced can be converted into nitrogen gas with the rest of ammonium under anoxic conditions. The treatment of nitrogen-rich water can be carried out beneficially by a combination of the Sharon process with the Anammox process. In this combined process less than 50% of the aeration energy is needed, no COD is required and an insignificant amount of sludge is produced. In this Report the potential of using this technology for the treatment of water arising from sludge treatment at a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is evaluated and the results of the operation of the system are described in detail. This reject water contains a significant fraction of the N-load towards the wastewater treatment plant. The results are used in an economic evaluation of a potential full scale installation. The Combined Sharon/Anammox Process Report will provide an invaluable source of information for all those concerned with the efficient and sustainable treatment of wastewater including plant managers, process designers, consultants and researchers.
Following in the footsteps of previous highly successful and useful editions, Biological Wastewater Treatment, Third Edition presents the theoretical principles and design procedures for biochemical operations used in wastewater treatment processes. It reflects important changes and advancements in the field, such as a revised treatment of the micr
This book examines the practices used or considered for biological treatment of water/waste-water and hazardous wastes. The technologies described involve conventional treatment processes, their variations, as well as future technologies found in current research. The book is intended for those seeking an overview to the biotechnological aspects of pollution engineering, and covers the major topics in this field. The book is divided into five major sections and references are provided for those who wish to dig deeper.
Activated Sludge - 100 Years and Counting covers the current status of all aspects of the activated sludge process and looks forward to its further development in the future. It celebrates 100 years of the Activated Sludge process, from the time that the early developers presented the seminal works that led to its eventual worldwide adoption. The book assembles contributions from renowned world leaders in activated sludge research, development, technology and application. The objective of the book is to summarise the knowledge of all aspects of the activated sludge process and to present and discuss anticipated future developments. The book comprises invited papers that were delivered at the conference "Activated Sludge...100 Years and Counting!", held in Essen, Germany, June 12th to 14th, 2014. Activated Sludge - 100 Years and Counting is of interest to researchers, engineers, designers, operations specialists, and governmental agencies from a wide range of disciplines associated with all aspects of the activated sludge process. Authors: David Jenkins, University of California at Berkeley, USA, Jiri Wanner, Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague, Czech Republic.
Wastewater Microbiology focuses on microbial contaminants found in wastewater, methods of detection for these contaminants, and methods of cleansing water of microbial contamination. This classic reference has now been updated to focus more exclusively on issues particular to wastewater, with new information on fecal contamination and new molecular methods. The book features new methods to determine cell viability/activity in environmental samples; a new section on bacterial spores as indicators; new information covering disinfection byproducts, UV disinfection, and photoreactivation; and much more. A PowerPoint of figures from the book is available at ftp://ftp.wiley.com/public/sci_tech_med/wastewater_microbiology.
Anaerobic sewage treatment using UASB reactors has significantly expanded in the last few decades and is now a consolidated technology in some warm climate regions. Several advantages of the anaerobic process make it a more sustainable option for sewage treatment. However, there are still important constraints related to design, construction, and operation of UASB reactors. Conversely, there is enough knowledge, experience, and proven technology that can be used to effectively tackle all the related drawbacks. This book delivers the most relevant techno-scientific developments from academia and water authorities, comprehensively addressing the main aspects of interest in design, construction, and operation of UASB reactors for sewage treatment. Special attention is given to the proper and integrated management of sludge, scum, gaseous emissions, energy recovery, and effluent quality. The main purpose is to provide information and share experiences not yet compiled in the specialized literature on anaerobic sewage treatment. Therefore, a sequence of 12 well-interconnected chapters consolidates the practical knowledge and experiences that important research groups and recognized professionals worldwide have acquired over the past 20 years in demo- and full-scale anaerobic-based sewage treatment plants. Anaerobic Reactors for Sewage Treatment: Design, Construction and Operation can significantly contribute towards a responsible expansion of the anaerobic technology in the world. The book is a valuable tool for engineers, constructors, operators, wastewater utility managers, as well as for students interested in anaerobic processes for sewage treatment.
